Dyeing machine



Aug. 25, 1931 J. W. FARQUHAR ET AL DYEING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m w w I ep/l W Birquhar Walfl' Hansel Aug. 25, 1931. w FARQUHAR ET AL 1,820,385

DYEING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 5 I Filed Sept. 6, 1928 nvenars Josgafi W/Iyrqufiqr and M/a/fer Hamel.

Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT mcej JOSEPH WILLIS BUTTERWOBTH & SONS COMPANY,

raaounm, on rmmnnrm PENNSYLVANIA, m wam'nn nausea, or KEBCHANTVILLE, new master; sun nnnsnr. assronoa TO n. w:

a CORPORATION. or rnnnsnvama DYEING MACHINE Application filed September 6, 1928. Serial No. 304,242.

In general constructiom'our invention relates to dyeing machines having a tank and a vertical adjustable frame adapted thereto so as to be raised and lowered into the tank and dye liquor contained therein, said the fluid may be had and whereby also, the

devices carrying the yarn or other material to be dyed are rotated for feeding the materials through the dye liquor, the rotating means being automatically coupled in con-' nection with driving means fixed to the tank and permitting the removal or reception of the frame and the yarn carrying means without requiring any material change or disturbance of the driving means.

' to the tank, whereby it is bottom of the tank to a level approximately.

The object of our invention is also to provide a construction adapted to supply commingled steam and air to the dye liquor whereby the temperature and circulation o the heated dye liquor may be assured across the suspended yarn or other material carried in the suspension means of the removable frame, and, moreover, to cause a circulation upward and over the materials being dyed, and thence backward and through the same at a lower level for returning the circulating fluid to the initial place of heating and source of circulating impulse.

Our object is further to provide means for supplying the temperature increasing fluid, such as steam, when delivering the dye liquor proper temperature, and thereafter to cause, as may be necessary,

that the same may be recirculated in a more or less continuous manner and at a constant temperature.

Our object is also to providecapacity for lightening the circulating dye liquor, whereit ascends from a level adjacent to the at the upper part of the tank and above the level of the supporting means for the material being treated, so that the upward current rought to the the recirculation of thehot dye liquor so supplied to the tank, so

so. produced will cause a lateral suction of the dye liquor throu h the materials beingv i dyed, and thence to e upwardcurrent an whereby also it is conveyed to the upper level whereat it spreads laterally over and through the materials being dyed, to produce substantiallyuniform dyeing result.

Our improvements further comprehend a duplex tank structure wherein two sets of f removable frames for suspending the materials to be dyed may be employed in the duplex tank and be driven from the same motor means; and, moreover, the dye liquor and heating and circulating means are common to both of the yarn dyeing means including the tanks and carrying means for the yarns,

etc. being treated,,which constitute the duplex feature of the machine.

A further feature of our improvement relates to properly positioning the removable frames carrying the textile material to be dyed, whereby they are positively positioned when lowered into the tank so that the gearmg upon the said removable frames and the fixedly positioned gearing in the tank are automatically brought accurately into operative relation by the lowering of the frames into the tanks, and disconnected by the raising of the frames.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will be more fully understood from the description hereinafter, the invention consists in the novel construction of dyeing machine, as hereinafter more fully described and defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the duplex tank structure constituting a part of our invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinally vertical section of the same, taken on line 22, with a part of the tank broken away and with the removable frame for supporting the materials to be dyed arranged in one of the tank compartments; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the duplex tank and the driving gearing forming a part thereof;

of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a perspective view, with part in section, of one of the ears for revolving the transverse supportin bars for the material being treated; and Fig. 8 is the end of one of the transverse bars adapted to be detachably connected with the gearing ihown in Fig. 7, and as more fully shown in 5 represents the duplex tank goviding the dyeing compartments A and which are separated more or less by transverse part1- tions 6, 6, arranged substantially midway of the length of the tank and providing between them a vertical passage 5. The lower portions of these partitions 6 terminate at a distance above the bottom of the tank to provide passages 7, 7, for circulation of the fluid from the tanks into the bottom of the vertical passage 5; and the upper edges 8 of the partitions extend to a level somewhat below the level of the fluid in the tank, so as to permit circulation of fluid from the vertical passage in both directions over the partitions and into the respective compartments A and B of the tank structure.

9 is a horizontal perforated pipe extending transversely across the tank and positione at the lower part of the vertical passage 5 and with the apertures directed upwardly. This pipe has each end threaded and upon which ends are screwed sleeves 15 and upon said sleeves are screwed nuts 16, vand 16a, the former provided "with cylindrical portions which fit circular apertures in the side walls of thetank so as to definitely position the perforated tube and, at the same time, enable the same to be clamped to the side walls of the tank in a liquid tight manner.

One end of the perforated pipe 9 is capped, as at 18, and the other end 1s screwed into a coupling with an oblique branch outlet. The couplin portion is straight and connects the per orated pipe 9 with a steam supply pipe 13 having therein a control valve 14, whereby the steam may be shut off or throttled to the desired degree, as may be required for the proper maintenance of temperature to the fluid within the tank. Connecting with the branching outlet of the coupling 10 is a pipe 11 through which air for treatment of the textile material in the tanks is supplied and admitted under the control of a valve 12. The steam pipe 13 entering the coupling 10 is tapered into the form of a nozzle 10a (Figs. 5 and 6), so as to provide a mixing device for the steam and air and, at the same time, produce a suction action upon the source of supply for the dye liquor.

19 is one of the removable frames which normally is operatively adjusted within one of the tank compartments A and B, and said frame is of open work construction and formed of right and left side portions 20 and 21 connected by transverse portions 22 at each end, so as to form a skeleton boxshaped frame rectangular in plan. This frame is provided at its upperpart with rothe yarn is put under tension, as wi 1 be explained later on. The skeleton frame 19 is provided at the to with lugs 25 arranged at opposite sides and the lifting hooks may be inserted when the frame is to be raised or lowered in respectto the dye liquor vat A or B, as the case may be. The means for lifting the cage or skeleton frame (not shown) may be of the customary construction and forms no part of the present invention.

J ournaled in one of the side frames are a series of gears 26, the same having journals 27 rotating in bearings 28 in the side frame and held in such operative positions by nuts 29. These gears 26 mesh with each other in series relatlon so that adjacent gears rotate in opposite directions. The faces of the gears which are directed toward the middle of the skeleton frame are each provided with a journal bearing 30 terminating in a rectangular slot portion 31.

The opposite side frame 21 of the cage is provided with a plurality of U shaped bearings 35 facing toward and equal in number to the gears 26. Yarn carrying bars 23 are fitted at one end with a cylindrical engaging pin 32 and a rectangular hub 33, the pin centering in the axial hole 30 of the gears 26, and the rectangular hub 33 engaging the slot or socket 31 thereof, so as to be detachably supported and positively rotated; and, at the same time, the other ends of the bars are provided with cylindrical journals 34 which are received in and supported by the U shaped bearings 35, before referred to. The nature of these features of construction are best shown in Figs. 3, 5, 7 and 8.

Immediately below the severalyarn carrying bars 23 are arranged corresponding tension rollers 24, said rollers extending through the skein loops and retained by the tension of the yarn in rotatable relation with tension frames 36, said bars having journals 37 at each end which are received in notched bearings 38 on the bottom edges of the frames. The frames 36 are provided with upwardly extending guiding rods 39 guided in holes 40 in lugs 41 of the skeleton frame 19, and, moreover, the said rods are provided With adjustable collars 42 receiving downward pressure by springs 43 surrounding the rods and interposed between the collars and the uppermost lug 41, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the frames 36 and the rollers 24 are moved down to their lowermost positions. When, however, skeins of yarn are placed about the bars 23 and the rollers 24, the lathaving holes into which or are raised and by the action of the frames 36 and springs 43' tension is maintained upon the yarn during its treatment to the dye liquor in the tank, (see dotted lines gecured to one side of the duplex tank structure and extending down into the space 5 between the transverse partitions 6, 6, 1s a frame 44 upon which is ournaled a train of gears 45 meshing with each other in series, the uppermost gear being rotated by a crank 46 or other suitable means and the lowermost gear of the series meshing with a larger gear 47 the diameier of which is approximately the same as the distance apart of the partitions 6, 6, as Wlll be understood by reference to Fig. 2. The yarn carrying skeleton frames 19 are each provided on the end nearest to the vertical passage 5 with a gear 48 which is arranged to simultaneously mesh with the train of gears 26 on the skeleton frame and the large gear 47 which is adapted to be rotated by the crank 46 through the train of gears 45. It will be understood, moreover, that the relation of these parts are such that the gear 48 is always in mesh with the gears 26 for operating the yarn carrying bars and, at the same time, being adapted for intermeshing with the gear 47, when the yarn carrying skeleton frame is lowered into its proper position within the tank, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 2. In this manner, the lowering of the frame 19 with its load of yarn skeins automatically couples its gears with the driving gear 47 and whereby the bars 23 may be rotated continuously or intermittently, as desired, for causing the yarn skeins to be shifted in respect to their contact with the bars or rollers by which they are suspended. The two skeleton frames and associated parts for use in the duplex tank are the same in construction, except that one is right handed and the other is left handed with respect to the positioning of the intermediate driving gear 48. In this manner, the same driving gears and operating crank may be employed for rotating the skein bars of the skeleton frames for each of the tanks A and B, and this will be understood by reference to Fig. 5 wherein the same operating gearing is shown as driving trains of gears of the two yarn carrying frames of the respective tanks A and B.

It will be understood that to assure the gears 48 properly meshing with the gear 47 by the mere act of lowering the skeleton frames 19 into the tanks, it becomes necessary to guide the said frames into definite position with respect to the driving gear 47, and this is accomplished in the following manner: In the corners of each of the tanks A and B are arranged vertical guide frames 49 forming right angles grooved channels 50, said channels being slightly inclined, as at pipe 9 and 51, (Figs. 2 and 3), and relatively flaring at their up r ends 52 topro'vide ready access for the rames when being lowered mto the tanks. It will be understood that the four corners of. the skeleton frame are guided down these four corner guide frames 49 and are thereby definitely positioned when they reach the bottom as will cause the gear 48 carried by. the skeleton frame to properly mesh with the gear 47. If desired, the upper part of the side frame 20 of the skeleton frame may be provided with lugs 53 which definitely center the upper art of said side frames between the guide rames 49 in the plane of the gears 26,47 and 48, to insure that they shall retain their meshed relation.

In lieu of the particular manner of positioning the tank and with proper relation to the driving gear, any other suitable guiding means may be employed and we, therefore, do not limit ourselves to the particular guiding means shown.

It will be seen that the tension and guide I rollers 24 are arranged in two sets, each set having its own frames 36- and springs 43, which permits of more satisfactory tension being put upon the yarn skeins, but we do not limit ourselves in this respect, as all of the rollers 24 may be operated as a unit, if so desired.

The tank is fitted with a drain discharge 54 which is controlled by a suitable plug or other valve 55 adapted to be operated when it is desired to run off or discharge the fluid content of the tank. Any suitable drainage means may be employed as heretofore.

The operation of the apparatus will now be understood. The yarn skeleton frames are loaded with the skeins while the said frame is out of the tank, and this loading is accomplished by hanging the yarn skeins upon the bars 23 and thereafter inserting said bars into engagement with the gears 26 and supporting their opposite ends in the sockets 35 on the frame. Thereafter, the tension roll ers 24 are introduced through the skeins and journaled in the tension bars 36. In this manner, all of the skeins are under such tension as may be required. This tension may be adjusted by adjustin the collars 42 on the rods 39. The tanks and B, being suitably filled with dye liquor, the frames so loaded are lowered into position within the tanks and are properly centralized therein the yarn carrying skeleton frame within to insure the gears 48 of the yarn carrying I frames to mesh with gear 47 on the tank, and whereby all of the yarncarrying bars may be rotated to the extent desired. During the operation of dyeing the yarns, the dye liquor may be caused to be heated and circulated as may be desirable, and toaccomplish these purposes, steam may be admitted through pipe 13 andnozzle 10a into the perforated through the perforations therein upwardly and commingled with the dye liquor in the vertical passage 5 between the transverse partitions 6, 6, thereby maintaining the dye liquor in a heated condition and, at the same time, insuring its circulation. As the heated dye liquor is caused to rise, it spreads transversely above the partitions 6, 6, and' thence horizontally out through the tanks A and B, and ultimately returns to the vertical passage or space 5 by passing through the circulating passages 7 at the bottom of the transverse partitions 6, 6. In this manner, the temperature of the dye liquor may be controlled and the circulation assured; and while this operation is being performed, the crank 46 may be rotated and thereby cause the yarn supporting bars to be simultaneously rotated to shift the yarn and insure uniformity in its dyeing. It will also be understood that the use of the steam for heating the dye liquor may be practiced alone or when admitting air through pipe 11 to the tank in association with the steam.

Ve have described our improved method andmeans in that particularity which we deem to be the best exposition of our invention and that which we prefer in commercial practice, but we do not restrict or confine ourselves to the minor or secondary details, as such are susceptible of modification, which may be resorted to as matters of mechanical skill and without a departure from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a tank structure having two tank portions, two independent removable frames adapted to fit into the respective tank portions so as to be submerged in the liquor contained therein, and said frames each provided with a plurality of transverse rotatable bars upon which the material to be dyed is supported, gearing upon each of the frames for rotating the transverse bars, gearing fixedly positioned upon the tank structure intermediate of the gearing of the two removable frames and meshing so as to drive the rotatable bars of said frames, and inclined guides arranged in the tank portions for guiding diagonally opposite corners of the respective removable frames whereby the gearing thereon is respectively brought into meshed relation with the driving gearing positioning upon the tank.

which the material to be dyed is supported, gearing upon the frame for rotating the transverse bars, gearing fixedly positioned upon thetank structure and meshing so as to drive the rotatable bars, and inclined guides arranged in the tank for guiding diagonally opposite corners of the removable frame, whereby the gearing thereon is brought into meshed relation with the driving gearing positioned upon the tank.

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein further, the inclined guides'are angular in cross section and of substantially the same shape throughout their height, and wherein also, the two guiding faces of the guides are inclined to each other at substantially right angles whereby the frames which carry the material to beidyed are automatically adjusted both laterally and longitudinally of the tank during their descent.

In testimony of which invention, we hereunto set our hands.

JOSEPH WILLIS F ARQUHAR. WALTER HENSEL.

2. The invention according to claim 1, 

